Module 1

Module 1—Thinking Energy

Lesson Summary

 

In Lesson 1 you considered the following questions:

• How does society use the energy of chemical changes?
• How do you use the energy of chemical changes in your life?

Society uses a variety of energy sources. Greater consideration has recently been given to the environmental impact of energy use. In this lesson you learned about a variety of energy sources. These included chemical potential energy in the food you eat, the fossil fuels used for many modes of transportation, and solar energy, which is the ultimate energy source for the biosphere. You learned about the chemical reactions involved in photosynthesis, cellular respiration, and combustion; and you learned how these reactions are part of the carbon cycle.

 

You also assessed your personal energy intake to get an idea of how much chemical potential energy your body needs to sustain itself. You used this information to start planning your ecotour.

 

Lesson Glossary

 

carbohydrate: a carbon compound that contains many hydroxyl groups and has the general chemical formula CnH2nOn (e.g., glucose, C6H12O6)

chemical potential energy: the form of energy present within the chemical bonds of a substance

 

hydrocarbon molecule: a chemical compound containing only hydrogen and carbon atoms

 

Chemistry 30 © 2009 Alberta Education